Playing sports frequently is a healthy practice and recommended for everyone due to its many positive effects. However, most sports are practiced outdoors , exposing our skin to the climatic changes of each season. Both this type of exercise and the sport performed in gym rooms requires taking into account certain guidelines that will prevent skin injuries.
Protection and cleaning
If we are going to do outdoor sports, Didac Barco, a specialist in Dermatology at the Hospital Quirón-Teknon in Barcelona, warns of the importance of using sun protection . “It is essential to apply SPF 50 sunscreen, half an hour before the activity.” However, it is not convenient to use any, it is better to choose specific protectors for exercise.“Sunscreens, with sweat and rubbing, usually disappear from the skin surface. Certain protectors are designed so that they remain on the skin in these conditions and so that they do not irritate the eyes if they slip on the eyelids with sweat, ”he explains. In addition, he adds that, for specific exercises, such as running long distances, it will be useful to apply lubricants, such as filamentous petroleum jelly, in areas of friction (inter-buttock fold, feet, inguinal folds).
In a closed environment, sun protection is not necessary, but keep in mind that we will sweat more because of the condensation of the water. This implies, indicates the expert, that we will have to wear clothes with fabrics that absorb the sweat produced as well as possible.
Many gyms have sauna, steam room, or swimming pool services , which require taking off your shoes. The expert recommends the use of flip flops both in the locker room and in these rooms. “In this type of environment, it is necessary to take extreme care in foot care when we take off our shoes, since infectious skin diseases such as fungi and viral warts are frequent .”
Hydration also plays an important role, which is why Barco points out that, once the exercise is done, after the shower, we should apply a thin layer of moisturizer to restore lipids on the surface of the skin that have been lost with sweat, soap and water.
That I wear?
“Normally, sportswear is prepared to eliminate skin perspiration and is made of fabrics that allow water to evaporate and that have openings in the areas of greatest sweating, such as the armpits or inguinal folds,” says the expert. In any case, Barco recommends choosing synthetic fiber garments that do not fit the body very much. As for the feet, the dermatologist warns of the importance of wearing socks that have absorbent capacity and that the shoes are as breathable as possible.
Dermatitis and acne
We often hear that sweating can cause acne because of the excess sebum it can generate, however there are ways to prevent it. Apart from being scrupulous about cleaning our skin before exercising and doing it without makeup residue , carrying a clean towel can be very useful. Although Barco explains that acne is not a contagious disease and there is no risk of contracting it or transmitting it through contact with objects, it is possible that, when performing certain exercises (such as abdominal exercises ), the injuries we have on our backs are painful by pressureor that some of them even burst. “In these cases, it is appropriate to put a clean towel on top of the mat,” he recommends. Regarding facial acne , the dermatologist remembers that, after exercise, “we should wash our faces with a mild soap and rehydrate the surface with an oil free cream that does not clog the pores.”
Another of the injuries that we can suffer is atopic dermatitis , which affects especially in the northern areas and those with the highest level of industrial development. Excessive sweating could worsen this pathology. According to Barco, these people should use the recommended sunscreen to hydrate the skin and, after exercising, shower with a mild soap or gel. “It is important that it is applied to the dirtiest areas, especially the folds. It is not necessary to rub the skin vigorously or that we use sponges or abrasive gloves ”, he points out. Finally, after the shower, the expert advises nourishing the skin with a hypoallergenic moisturizer and drinking water to restore the fluids lost in exercise.
